Texas Notes: Noel, Ntilikina, Spurs, Capela
The Mavericks aren’t worried about losing restricted free agent Nerlens Noel, according to Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News. Noel, who was acquired from the Sixers in a deadline-day trade, has stated that he likes the city and coach Rick Carlisle. The third-year center averaged 8.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game after arriving in Dallas. The Mavericks can match any offer that Noel gets from another franchise, but Sefko doesn’t think that will be necessary. He expects the parties to work out a long-term deal after the Mavs get a chance to maximize their available cap room.
There’s more news tonight out of Texas:
- The Mavericks are very interested in French point guard Frank Ntilikina, Sefko notes in the same story. At 6’5″, Ntilikina’s size and ballhandling skills have impressed Dallas scouts, but there are fears that he might be selected before the team’s pick at No. 9. The Mavericks were hoping to get a closer look at Ntilikina at this week’s combine in Chicago, but he declined an invitation.
- The Spurs were able to shake off a season-ending injury to Tony Parker because other players stepped up in his place in Game 3, according to Fran Blinebury of NBA.com. LaMarcus Aldridge had his best game of the series, and Jonathon Simmons and Dejounte Murray both gave San Antonio what it needed in a 103-92 victory. Veteran center Pau Gasol said the team had to get over the mental aspect of not having Parker. “We understand how much Tony means to this team, what he brings to the table and how well he was playing for us in the playoffs, making huge plays at critical points in critical games,” Gasol said. “He will be missed on the floor and off the floor, because he’s an emotional leader for this team. He brings a lot of poise, a lot of leadership.”
- Rockets center Clint Capela is making a strong case for an offseason extension with his playoff performance. Akeem Olajuwon was the last Houston center to put up playoff numbers similar to Capela’s 12 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks in Game 3, notes Brett Zwerneman of The Houston Chronicle. “He’s come from sitting on the end of the bench and playing a little bit of minutes to being a force out there,” said coach Mike D’Antoni. “This guy is going to be really good.”
Porzingis Has Message For Clippers In Tweet
Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis sent out an unexplained tweet today that he quickly deleted, according to Mark W. Sanchez of The New York Post.
The social media message read simply, “LA Clippers” and was accompanied by three smiling faces.
The Clippers were eliminated from the playoffs last week and are believed to have interest in Porzingis’ teammate, Carmelo Anthony, whom the Knicks would like to trade this summer.
There has been no publicly stated connection between Porzingis and the Clippers, although there was a report that several teams contacted New York’s front office about his availability last month after he skipped an exit meeting as a form of protest. He left for Latvia and announced his intention to play for the national team without consulting anyone from the Knicks.
Still, there’s little reason to believe that Porzingis is being shopped around, especially if New York gets rid of Anthony. The 7’3″ forward/center is still seen as part of the Knicks’ foundation and is under team control on his rookie contract for two more seasons.
Send Us Your Mailbag Questions, Hoops Links Submissions
Every week at Hoops Rumors, we publish a pair of features that rely on input and submissions from our readers. One is our Weekly Mailbag, in which Arthur Hill answers a few questions related to the latest news and rumors from around the NBA. The second is our Hoops Links feature, which showcases a selection of notable NBA blog entries from all over the internet. In each instance, the content for those features comes from you.
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Be sure to send us your new mailbag questions and NBA blog posts each week, and check back to see if you’ve been featured in that week’s installment!
Heat Notes: Wade, Bosh, J. Johnson, Draft
Udonis Haslem and Tyler Johnson made a public appearance today to help Dwyane Wade sell sneakers, but they avoided questions about whether their former teammate might rejoin them with the Heat, writes Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel. Wade is considering whether to opt out of his $23.8MM contract with the Bulls for next season. If he does, many believe he will decide to return to Miami, where he spent his first 13 seasons. Haslem and Johnson have both been in touch with Wade since Chicago was eliminated from the playoffs last week. “He’s going to have to make the best decision for him,” Johnson said. “I know he wants to be in a situation where he’s playing for a team that’s kind of established. I don’t think he wants to go through a rebuilding process.”
There’s more news out of Miami:
- The Heat are expected to petition the league office soon to have Chris Bosh‘s salary removed from their cap. Bosh was kept on the roster all season after failing a physical in training camp over blood clot problems that have plagued him for the past two seasons. Haslem tells Winderman in the same story that he has contacted Bosh but hasn’t discussed his NBA future. “Chris is one of those guys, when he puts his mind it, he can do anything,” Haslem said. “So he doesn’t lack opportunity. He’s going to have a lot of opportunity to do a lot of things. He’s a very well-rounded guy. And whatever he does, he’s going to be great at it.” If Bosh is able to play enough games for another team, his $52MM salary would be put back onto the Heat’s cap.
- Free agent forward James Johnson may not be guaranteed a starting job if he
re-signs with the Heat this summer, Winderman speculates in another piece. With Dion Waiters and Goran Dragic both starting, Johnson may give Miami too many
players on the court at the same time who need to handle the ball. Also, Justise Winslow may claim one of the starting forward slots
when he returns from injury. - Winderman examines who the Heat might take if they keep the No. 14 pick in the May 16th lottery. Players who have been linked to Miami in that spot include Duke’s Harry Giles, UCLA’s T.J.
Leaf, North Carolina’s Justin Jackson, California’s Ivan Rabb, Florida State’s Jonathan Isaac, Gonzaga’s Zach Collins, Indiana’s OG Anunoby, Duke’s Luke Kennard, Wake Forest’s John Collins and two overseas players, Terrence
Ferguson of Australia and Frank Ntilikina of France.
Draft Notes: Collins, Comanche, Combine, Jazz
Gonzaga big man Zach Collins is quickly rising up draft boards, tweets Jon Rothstein of Fanrag Sports. The 7’0″ freshman didn’t play a lot this season, but he has become a favorite of NBA scouts. Collins averaged 10.0 points and 5.9 rebounds in just 17.2 minutes per night for the national runners-up. He is ranked 12th in Jonathan Givony’s latest list of the top 100 prospects at DraftExpress and 11th by ESPN’s Chad Ford. Collins is the top-rated center on Ford’s list, while Givony has him one spot behind Jarrett Allen of Texas.
There’s more draft-related news today:
- Sophomore big man Chance Comanche of Arizona has announced via Twitter than he plans to remain in the draft. He averaged 6.3 points and 3.6 rebounds this season and is a long shot to be drafted.
- Cody Taylor of Basketball Insiders examines players who have gone on to NBA success after not receiving invitations to the draft combine. This year’s edition will be held this week in Chicago.
- Kentucky guard Hamidou Diallo may be the best athlete at the combine, an NBA executive tells Rothstein (Twitter link). Diallo is projected to go early in the second round by both Givony and Ford.
- Three Michigan players are headed to the combine, writes James Hawkins of The Detroit News. Moritz Wagner and D.J. Wilson, who entered the draft without hiring agents, both received invitations, along with senior Derrick Walton. Another Wolverines senior, Zak Irvin, also has draft aspirations but wasn’t invited to the combine.
- Wagner will be among six players working out for the Jazz on Sunday, according to a tweet from the team. Joining him will be LSU’s Antonio Blakeney, UCLA’s Aaron Holiday, Florida State’s Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Georgetown’s L.J. Peak and BYU’s Eric Mika.
Lowry ‘Doubtful’; Raptors Breakup Coming?
Still hobbled by a sprained left ankle, Toronto point guard Kyle Lowry describes himself as “probably doubtful” for Game 4 against the Cavaliers, writes Doug Smith of The Toronto Star.
Lowry made the assessment today as the team enjoyed a day off before Sunday’s contest. He suffered the ankle injury in Game 2 of the series and was forced to sit out Game 3.
“Hopefully some things change,” Lowry added, “but right now, I don’t think I’ll be able to play.”
Trailing 3-0, the Raptors could be just a few hours away from the end of their season and a significant summer shakeup. Lowry, who has spent the past five seasons in Toronto, is headed toward free agency. So is Patrick Patterson, who has been with the team since 2013, along with Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker, who were both acquired at this year’s trade deadline.
Smith states that there’s “no way” all four will be re-signed, and cites a feeling of “change in the air” at team headquarters. Cap considerations will probably prove him correct, as the franchise has about $58MM tied up for next season among DeMar DeRozan, Jonas Valanciunas and DeMarre Carroll. The Raptors will have about $21MM to spend, and all four free agents will be seeking hefty raises. Toronto management will have to decide how far over the cap it wants to go to keep the current team together when it can’t get past the Cavaliers.
Lowry, an All-Star the past three seasons, is all but certain to opt out of his $12MM salary for next year and seek a max deal. He averaged a career-best 22.4 points per game this season to go with 7.0 assists. Significant increases are probably also looming for Ibaka (who made $12.25MM this year), Patterson ($6.05MM) and Tucker ($5.3MM).
Week In Review: 4/30/17 – 5/6/17
With the offseason in full effect for many teams and the NBA Draft lottery just 10 days away, a great deal happened this week. Here’s our recap of what you need to know for the last seven days:
News
- Thunder GM Sam Presti is hopeful that the team can sign Russell Westbrook to a long-term extension this summer.
- Kelly Oubre Jr. was suspended for Game 4 of the Celtics–Wizards series as a result of his altercation with Kelly Olynyk in their previous game.
- Former Hawks forward Mike Scott was cleared of drug charges in a Georgia court, accelerating a possible NBA comeback.
- The head of the NBPA is concerned that Phil Jackson is trying to “shame” Carmelo Anthony out of playing for the Knicks.
- The NBA announced the lineup for its first eLeague season.
- Tyronn Lue revealed that the Cavaliers reached out to Kevin Garnett during the season, attempting to lure the legendary big man out of retirement.
- The Timberwolves finalized their purchase of the Iowa Energy, a D-League franchise that previously had a relationship with the Grizzlies.
- Bucks general manager John Hammond indicates that the team intends to retain Tony Snell and that the medical staff hopes Jabari Parker can return by next season’s All-Star break.
- Bulls executives John Paxson and Gar Forman said that Fred Hoiberg will return as head coach and that “there’s a really good chance” that Rajon Rondo will be back as well.
- At age 40, Grizzlies veteran Vince Carter wants to play two more seasons.
- The NBA will use D-Leaguers to represent team USA in qualifiers for the 2019 Basketball World Cup, which will be used to determine which countries make the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
- Rashad McCants, who played five seasons in the NBA and won an NCAA championship, was the first player selected in the BIG3 three-on-three league draft.
Front Office News
- The Hawks will retain Wes Wilcox, and Mike Budenholzer will remain as head coach, but both Wilcox and Budenholzer will have reduced roles in the basketball operations department.
- Larry Bird officially stepped down as president of the Pacers.
- The Magic have begun to hold interviews in their quest to hire a president of basketball operations.
- Milwaukee’s John Hammond and Toronto’s Jeff Weltman are under consideration for the Magic opening, as well as Kevin McHale and Cleveland’s GM David Griffin.
- LeBron James continues to express support for David Griffin, whose contract with the Cavaliers expires after the postseason ends.
- Two top candidates for the Hawks‘ top front office position are reportedly David Griffin and Joe Dumars.
Rumors
- The Knicks and Clippers are expected to re-open trade talks involving Carmelo Anthony.
- Teams are reportedly inquiring about Kristaps Porzingis after he skipped his exit meeting.
- The role of Bulls vice president John Paxson might expand, as the team considers front office changes this offseason.
- The Pelicans continue to evaluate Alvin Gentry and Dell Demps, with no deadline set for the organization to decide on either’s fate with the team.
- Will Barton is expected to turn down a contract extension from the Nuggets and become an unrestricted free agent in 2018.
Injuries
- Tony Parker will be sidelined for the remainder of the postseason with a ruptured left quadriceps tendon.
- Steve Kerr remains out indefinitely as a result of flaring complications from his back surgery two years ago, making his return for Golden State’s series against the Jazz extremely unlikely.
- Alec Burks‘ knee injury could prevent him from returning for the Jazz this postseason.
- Luol Deng underwent successful surgery on his right pectoral muscle and expects to be fully recovered for the Lakers training camp.
Draft
- Markelle Fultz and De’Aaron Fox highlight the official NBA draft combine list.
- Jayson Tatum, Malik Monk, and other top prospects will skip the combine, just as Lonzo Ball has announced he will do.
- Louisville combo-guard Donovan Mitchell will hire an agent and stay in the draft.
- Theo Pinson will return to North Carolina, the Knicks will consider taking French point guard Frank Ntilikina with their seventh pick, among other draft updates.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 4/30/17 – 5/6/17
Every week, the Hoops Rumors writing team compiles original content to complement our news feed. Here are some of our favorite segments and features from the past seven days:
- Luke Adams dove headfirst into the salary cap situations for a quartet of eliminated playoff teams — the Grizzlies, Bulls, Hawks, and Clippers.
- With the Pacers now eliminated from the postseason and Paul George‘s future with the team very much in doubt, Luke Adams looks at five key offseason questions facing the team.
- Arthur Hill discussed the likelihood of Blake Griffin leaving the Clippers, Alvin Gentry‘s job security with the Pelicans, and whether Greg Monroe should opt out of his contract with the Bucks in his weekly Sunday mailbag. Submit your questions via Twitter (@HoopsRumors) or by sending us an email (hoopsrumorsmailbag@gmail.com).
- In our weekly Hoops Links roundup of interesting articles from around the blogosphere, Austin Kent shares pieces on LeBron James, James Harden, Jrue Holiday, and more. For details on how to submit a blog entry for consideration in our next installment of Hoops Links, click here.
- Here are the questions we asked you in our Community Shootaround discussions and polls this week:
- What is your favorite Paul Pierce moment?
- Should the Knicks trade Carmelo Anthony?
- What are your thoughts on whether the Hawks should trade Dwight Howard and what could they command in return?
- Do you agree with Doc Rivers that the coach/executive model can work?
- Who should be drafted first overall: Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, or someone else?
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Wizards’ Kelly Oubre Jr. Suspended For Game 4
11:44am: The NBA officially confirmed that Oubre has been suspended without pay for Game 4, announcing in a press release that he received the one-game penalty for “charging and making forceful and unwarranted contact” with Olynyk (Twitter link via Chris Forsberg of ESPN.com).
11:07am: Kelly Oubre Jr. will be suspended for Sunday’s Game 4 of the Wizards-Celtics series, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. The suspension comes on the heels of the Wizards small forward’s Game 3 altercation with Kelly Olynyk.
In a Game 3 that included eight technical fouls, Oubre’s ejection was most striking. After Olynyk was called for an offensive foul for setting an illegal screen that knocked Oubre to the ground, the Wizards’ second-year player rose up and proceeded to shove Olynyk, while shouting at him. Oubre was charged a flagrant 2 and ejected from the game.
Oubre scored 12 points in each of the first two games of the series and ranks second among bench players on the team in both points and minutes per game these playoffs. Bojan Bogdanovic, who scored 19 points in 29 minutes in Game 3, figures to benefit from the extra available minutes in Oubre’s absence. During the regular season, the Wizards’ bench ranked 29th in scoring with a mere 26.9 points per game.